The History of Santa Claus

Did you ever wonder what the history was behind the man with the candy red suit, coal black boots, snow white beard and cherry red cap? How about entering through chimneys while making his deliveries? Have you ever thought about all the references to Santa and their origins - Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas and Papa Noel?


Apparently, there is a long history for Santa dating back to the 4th Century. In Greece, St. Nicholas of Myra, bishop of Lycia (now Demre) was known for his generous gifts to the poor. There are tales of St. Nicholas of Myra tossing coins through open windows. When a window was closed, he would toss the coins in the chimney. This may have led to the idea of Santa entering homes through the chimney. In Germany, Odin was recorded to lead hunting parties in the sky during the native Germanic holiday of Yule. Odin paralleled the image of Santa Claus with his long white beard and his mighty horse leaping great distances similar to the present-day reindeer. Children would place their boots near the chimney. The boots were filled with carrots, straw or sugar for his horse to eat. Odin would reward the children by replacing the food with gifts and candy. The practice continued in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. Eventually, the boots were replaced with stockings hung at the chimney of homes. The stocking tradition came to the United States from the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. The tradition evolved into hanging the stockings at the fireplace.


St. Nick was also referred to as an elf in the famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" known today as "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clark Moore. Published in December 1823, the poem contributed to what we know Santa Claus to be today riding in a sleigh, landing on a roof and delivering a sack full of toys through a chimney. However, the modern image of Kris Kringle came from Thomas Nast's cartoonist illustration in a 1863 Harper's Weekly. The image of Santa Claus became more popular with the Coca-Cola advertisements in the 1930s.


St. Nick has a deep tradition within many countries around the world whether religious or folklore. The United States adopted many traditions from different countries as their cultures were introduced to America. The Americanization and commercialization of Santa didn't come until the late 1800s and early 1900s. Kris Kringle is absolutely synonymous with the holiday season. What would the season be without St. Nicholas?


Santa will be coming down one of Graylyn's chimneys on Sunday, December 13 and Saturday, December 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Call 336.758.2425 for details or visit www.graylyn.com.

The Poinsettia Tradition

Poinsettias have been a long standing tradition at Graylyn. The poinsettias are here – all 200. Once the poinsettias are placed, everyone knows the holiday season is in full swing. The Manor House comes alive when they appear almost magically. You will see poinsettias at every turn. The poinsettias are flowing out of the Sunroom, Lobby and Main Dining Room fireplaces.

Native to Central America the plant flourished in Southern Mexico. The poinsettia was first used for medicinal and practical purposes by the Aztecs. They referred to the plant as Cuetlaxochitl. The Aztecs used the milky white sap, today called latex, to treat fevers.

The poinsettia was introduced to the United States only a few short years ago in 1828. Joel Roberts Poinsett discovered the winter blooming plant when serving as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico appointed by President John Qunicy Adams. Though he attended medical school, his first love was botany. While visiting Taxco, he became enchanted with the brilliant red flower. He immediately sent some back to Greenville, South Carolina to grow in his greenhouses. He began sending them to friends and botanical gardens. Thus, began the tradition of purchasing and decorating with poinsettias during the holiday season under the botanical name, Euphorbia Pulcherrima. It is said that the first reference to the more popular name, poinsettia, came in 1836. I wonder from where it was derived…

Poinsett also founded the institution that we know as the Smithsonian Institute.

Deck the halls!

Every year, Graylyn is decorated for the holiday season before December arrives. Graylyn has 8 trees to decorate for the season. Each tree carries a different theme. Some themes include a family tree with Gray family photos set in the Living Room, under the sea tree in our Atlantis Room and the Scottish terrier tree commemorating the Gray's love of their Scottish terriers, Butter & Scotch, located in the Grille Room. Combined, the trees have 6,500 plus mini white lights strung on them! The trees are fluffed and strung with lights by hand totaling 8 plus hours of labor. The outside is adorned with 25 plus wreaths throughout property; most noticeably on the manor house. Even the light posts have bows.

The stair tower will hold 60 plus feet of fresh garland. This is also the location of the gingerbread houses, the Manor House and newly added Bernard Cottage, decorated by Graylyn's culinary team.

Poinsettias are expected to arrive on November 30th. There are 200 plus red and white poinsettias set throughout the manor house. Three fireplaces will be filled with poinsettias; Sunroom with 24 white, Lobby with 17 red and Main Dining Room with 15 white.

Graylyn is not open to the public for tours. I encourage you to visit us for a holiday celebration with family, friends or co-workers. You can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season in the 2nd largest home in North Carolina. Santa will also be visiting Graylyn on December 5th and 12th. Check our web site for details.

'Tis the season! Remember to enjoy the holiday season. Don't let the stress of decorating, baking, shopping...leave you saying, "Bah. Humbug." Be merry!

Thanksgiving Traditions

The holidays are upon us. We have seen evidence in many retailers in town. Most retailers have been decorated for Christmas even before Halloween came to pass. Soon the radio air waves will be playing holiday music 'round the clock.

The sights and aromas of the holiday season triggers many memories of family traditions. The Gray's Poultry Manager for 19 years, Louis D. Baker, dressed 3 big turkeys (weighing 96 pounds total), 2 hens, 12 fryers and 24 dozen eggs for the Gray's Thanksgiving Dinner. I would have loved to been invited to their Thanksgiving dinner. Here are some traditions shared by the Graylyn staff:


"We travel from house to house to visit with family." - Traveling from house to house in the 1930s would not have been an easy task. Most families met at one location to celebrate Thanksgiving.

"The ladies in my family wake up early on Black Friday to shop and enjoy lunch at the Village Tavern." - Why not reserve a lunch or dinner at Graylyn after shopping all day on Black Friday? Sorry, I had to mention it. :o)

"We watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." - Sorry, Graylyn will not be lit like the Griswald's.

"We start a large jigsaw puzzle after our meal for the family to complete together throughout the entire Thanksgiving weekend." - Start a family tradition with a family activity for the weekend.

"We go to my husband’s family’s for a potluck lunch, then the two of us go to a movie – usually Christmas-themed, followed by an old movie on the couch with some ice cream. To us, it’s the first day of the Christmas holiday!" - Enjoy a movie over the weekend whether in a theater or in the comforts of home.


"The family gathers to cook and spend time together." - Turn off the TV and simply spend quality time together without the distractions of the world.

"My family eats shrimp puff casserole every Thanksgiving morning while my father bastes the golden brown turkey on the charcoal grill. My mom finishes the stuffing (which took few days to prepare), prepares the homemade gravy and asparagus casserole while the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade plays in the background." - Bring out your inner child and watch the parade while preparing the Thanksgiving meal.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and remember those fond memories with family and friends. Share your traditions with others or create new ones with your own family. Most of all, slow down and breathe in the moments shared together.